History

The catalog states that citizens of Wilton began planning for a school in 1865 and that the school actually opened in December of 1866.  In 1871 the school was reorganized as Wilton Collegiate Institute.  That year four students were doing college-level work, and twelve were in a college preparatory program.  An additional 160 students were doing general preparatory work; the commercial and music departments drew 20 and 35 students respectively.  The faculty numbered eight.  By 1883 a normal department had been added.

 

Frymeyer says that the school had a Didactor literary society which provided regular programs of music, readings, speeches and debates.  He also mentions a sleigh ride and a Thanksgiving Day party.

 

While the school was not initially associated with a church, each department conducted a daily religious service, and students were required to attend a weekly church service chosen by themselves and their parents.

 

According to Frymeyer, the school experienced shifts in ownership, mission, enrollment and name before being purchased by the German Congregation Church in 1894.  At that point a tiny proseminary from Crete, Nebraska, was merged with the Wilton Academy, creating the Wilton German-English College.  The announcement states that while English language students generally prepared for other colleges, German language students trained primarily for theological work.  Many went on to Chicago Theological Seminary.  During this period, the college had a chapter of Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor.  

 

With many families moving west to the Dakotas, the German-English College merged with Redfield College in South Dakota in 1904.  Frymeyer notes the Commercial Department under Professor J. B. Harris remained at Wilton.  As late as 1909 a wedding announcement in the Leon (Iowa) Reporter stated that the groom had been hired as head of the music department at Wilton College.